The Responsibilities of Trucking Companies to Protect U.S. Drivers

It is almost impossible to imagine being involved in an accident with a 80,000 pound 18 wheeler. When you consider that a semi is almost 30 times larger than a passenger car, it seems almost miraculous that anyone could survive. Injuries from tractor-trailer accidents are often catastrophic or fatal. Someone who has lost a loved one in a Missouri trucking accident will need legal assistance in order to pursue a claim for compensation. Call a Missouri truck accident attorney today and let them put their knowledge and resources to work for you.

The centrality of Missouri makes it susceptible to interstate trucks traversing across the United States. As a result we are accustomed to seeing major accidents that are caused by big rigs. Each of these trucks is held at a higher driving standard handed down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission. The FMCSA is a government agency whose primary function is to oversee the trucking industry. Under their supervision are tankers, large commercial buses and big rigs, 18 wheelers and tractor trailers.

The supervision of 18 wheelers extends to the trucking companies that employ them. The FMSCA holds them to be ultimately responsible for their driver’s actions in most situations. They have a duty to make careful hiring decisions and do thorough background and driving record checks. In addition, they should be vigilant in keeping track of their drivers activities, making sure they stay within safe driving amount standards and keeping accurate logs of their mileage and break periods. A St. Louis car accident attorney may advise you to file suit against the company after a truck accident if they find that it deviated away from the FMCSA guidelines.

In Missouri, a $5 million settlement was agreed to by the family of a motorist who was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer. The wrongful death claim was filed against the trucking company for failing to properly supervise its driver. Large settlements such as this one are not uncommon in truck accident cases, especially when gross negligence is apparent. A jury trial could have resulted in a higher amount that included punitive damages as a way of punishing the defendants.

Many truck accident cases involve multiple defendants with different insurance companies. The driver, the owner of the truck, the trucking company, and the owner of the trailer may all be named as negligent parties in a trucking accident. In some cases, the owner of the cargo, or the company that loaded it will also be found at fault. Experienced Missouri truck accident lawyers can look at a case and determine who to name in the suit.

Whether it was a crash with an 18 wheeler, or an accident with a city bus, these are cases that are complex. An experienced auto accident attorney is the best bet in helping recover losses. Their experience negotiating with insurance companies will be of great service towards winning maximum compensation for your injury. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. today at (314) 361-4242 if you, or someone you love, has been injured in atrucking accident.